Veteran outfielder Cody Bellinger agreed to 1-year, $17M contract prior to MLB lockout

According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Dodgers and veteran outfielder Cody Bellinger agreed to a one-year, $17 million contract before the Dec. 1 lockout. The deal would allow for the sides to avoid arbitration while giving Bellinger a $900,000 raise from his 2020 salary.

The 26-year-old Bellinger didn’t have an impressive year in 2021, hitting just .165 with 10 homers and 36 RBI in 95 games. Injuries played a part in Bellinger’s disappointing 2021, as he dealt with a hairline fracture in his left leg, a hamstring strain and a rib fracture.  He did fare better in the 2021 playoffs, earning a .353 average with one homer and seven RBI in 12 contests.

In his MVP season in 2019, Bellinger hit .305 with 47 homers and 115 RBI; and in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Bellinger’s average fell to .239, but he still hit 12 homers and 30 RBI in 56 games.

Bellinger will be eligible for arbitration one more time next offseason before becoming eligible for unrestricted free agency after the 2023 campaign.

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NFL releases official playoff scenarios for upcoming Week 16

As Week 16 approaches with just three weeks left in the season, the NFL playoff field remains unsettled, with a number of divisions still up for grabs ahead of the regular season’s final stretch.

The Patriots and Bills remain in a heated battle for the AFC East crown, while the Rams are battling the Cardinals for the NFC West title.

Check out the full list of playoff scenarios for Week 16, head over to NFL.com.

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Jacob Bryant releases the music video to his latest single “Heartbeat”

Jacob Bryant has released the music video to his latest single, “Heartbeat.”  Heartbeat is featured on Bryant’s forthcoming Bar Stool Preacher album, which is set for release on Jan. 14.  Stream and download the single “Heartbeat” HERE.

“Heartbeat” follows Bryant’s latest single, “Devil & an Old Six String.” After losing his mother in 2010, Bryant battled depression and anxiety, self-medicated with alcohol and cocaine and ultimately suffered a heart attack at the age of just 19.  He turned to music to heal, and Bryant says: “Music is healing. As simple as that sounds, the process of creating my art about the life experiences I have had is my therapy. From writing the songs, recording, mixing and mastering to finally seeing a finished product in my hands has been extremely therapeutic for me.”

To pre-order Bar Stool Preacher head HERE.

Take a look at Bryant’s “Heartbeat” music video – HERE.

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Brothers Osborne announce deluxe edition of ‘Skeletons’ due in January 2022

Brothers Osborne has announced details of a new deluxe edition of their latest album, Skeletons. The album was originally released in October 2020; and the new version will include three new tracks – “Headstone,” “Midnight Rider’s Prayer,” and “Younger Me.”

‘Younger Me” is also in the running for a Grammy at the 2022 ceremony, having been given a nod for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. It has also featured in numerous end-of-year lists, including Rolling Stone’s Best Songs Of The Year and Billboard’s 100 Best Songs Of 2021 and Best Country Songs Of 2021, topping the genre-specific list. “Younger Me” and “Headstone” were written by band members John and TJ Osborne alongside Kendall Marvel, while Paul Moak and Willie Nelson are credited with the duo on “Midnight Rider’s Prayer.”

To pre-order Skeletons deluxe edition, head here.

Brothers Osborne Announce Deluxe Edition of 2020 Album, ‘Skeletons’

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Tapings of Wendy Williams’ and Nick Cannon’s talk shows are canceled due to COVID-19 surge

Tapings of episodes of The Wendy Williams Show and Nick Cannon have been canceled because of the rise in cases of COVID-19 in New York City. Williams has been off the show since September as she focuses on her health issues — the talk show host has Graves disease. Guest hosts have been filling in for her while she is away.

The talk show’s Instagram account posted: “Due to the growing number of new COVID-19 cases and to ensure a safe return for our crew members and staff, “The Wendy Williams Show” will now return with new live episodes on Monday, January 10, rather than Monday, January 3, as previously scheduled. @MichaelRapaport, @KymWhitley & @FinesseMitchell and @sherrieshepherd will guest host the shows as previously announced. We continue to observe all relevant New York City health and safety protocols, and wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.”

Cannon posted on Instagram: “Due to the growing number of new COVID-19 cases and to ensure a safe return for our crew members and staff, “Nick Cannon” will now return with new episodes on Monday, January 10, instead of Monday, January 3, as previously scheduled. We continue to observe all relevant New York City health and safety protocols, and wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.”

FOX also announced it has canceled its planned live broadcast of the New Year’s special, Toast & Roast 2022 starring former Community castmates Ken Jeong and Joel McHale.  Six and The Lion King were the latest Broadway shows to cancel performances until after Christmas because of COVID-19. They join a list that includes Dear Evan Hansen, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Ain’t Too Proud and Hadestown.

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Take a look at the trailer for “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts”

HBO Max has shared the trailer for the new special ‘Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts,” featuring Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.

The preview shows Radcliffe, Watson, Grint and other cast members reflect and reminisce on the Harry Potter film series and the franchise’s legacy. Says Radcliffe: “The thing that scared me the most was the implication that the most meaningful thing in our life was done, and there’s something so joyous about seeing everyone and be like, ‘It wasn’t, though.’”  Adds Watson: “When things get really dark, and times are really hard, there’s something about Harry Potter that makes life richer.”

Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Robbie Coltranr, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Bonnie Wright, Matthew Lewis and Evanna Lynch will also take part in the special, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the first film, ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.’  The special will “tell an enchanting making-of story through all-new, in-depth interviews and cast conversations.”

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts will premiere Jan. 1, 2022, on HBO Max.  Take a look at the trailer – here.

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The FDA authorizes Pfizer’s antiviral pill to treat COVID-19

The Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday it has authorized Pfizer’s antiviral pills to treat COVID-19 for emergency use, allowing limited use of the drug in Americans as young as 12 who are at “high risk for progression to severe COVID-19.”

Early data suggests Pfizer’s pills, called Paxlovid, are effective against Omicron cases. The FDA said in a statement: “This authorization provides a new tool to combat COVID-19 at a crucial time in the pandemic as new variants emerge and promises to make antiviral treatment more accessible to patients who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19.”

The new treatment option comes as doctors are facing a nationwide shortage of monoclonal antibodies to treat high-risk cases of the disease, with most formulas ineffective against the fast-spreading Omicron variant. Paxlovid treatment needs to begin within a few days of first developing symptoms. A course of treatment is made up of three tablets that are taken twice a day, in the morning and evening, over the course of five days, for a total of 30 pills. Two of the tablets are nirmatrelvir, an antiviral Pfizer designed to target SARS-CoV-2, and one is ritonavir, a drug that has also been used to treat HIV.

Like with some other COVID-19 treatments that have been authorized by the FDA, the regulator will limit Pfizer’s drug to only people at “higher risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19.” That includes seniors and people with underlying conditions like heart disease or diabetes.  The FDA said Wednesday that “Paxlovid is available by prescription only and should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and within five days of symptom onset.”

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Pres. Biden extends pause on student loan repayments through May 1, 2022

The White House announced Wednesday that President Biden extended a pause on student loan repayments an additional 90 days through May 1, 2022. Those with student loans had been scheduled to begin repayments on February 1.

Mr. Biden said in his statement announcing the extension that although unemployment is relatively low, many are still struggling with the economic fallout from the pandemic: “Now, while our jobs recovery is one of the strongest ever — with nearly 6 million jobs added this year, the fewest Americans filing for unemployment in more than 50 years, and overall unemployment at 4.2 percent — we know that millions of student loan borrowers are still coping with the impacts of the pandemic and need some more time before resuming payments.”

The pause began under former President Donald Trump, and continued under Mr. Biden. Some progressives have been urging the president to cancel student loans entirely, not just pause them. Student loan interest is set to kick back in when payments resume, but some Senate Democrats are asking President Biden to waive it. It is not yet clear whether this will be the final extension on student loan repayments.

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Former NBA All-Star Joe Johnson signs 10-day contract with Boston Celtics

Former All-Star Joe Johnson made his return to the NBA on Wednesday after signing a 10-day contract with the Celtics. Johnson, 40, most recently played in the BIG3 League in 2019 as well as The Basketball Tournament in 2020. His most recent NBA stint came in 2018 when Johnson was a member of the Rockets.

In 17 NBA seasons, Johnson was a seven-time All-Star, averaging 20-plus points per game in five straight seasons from 2005-10. Johnson previously played for seven franchises in his career, including the Hawks, Nets, Suns and Celtics.

Boston is one of many NBA teams currently dealing with a number of COVID-19 absences. Boston forwards Al Horford and Grant Williams are currently listed in the health and safety protocols, as is guard Josh Richardson.

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Texas A&M withdraw from Gator Bowl due to COVID-19 outbreak

Texas A&M have withdrawn from the Gator Bowl because of a COVID-19 outbreak within the program that has reportedly left them with only 38 healthy players. The game is scheduled for Dec. 31, and the Aggies were supposed to take on No. 17 Wake Forest.

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Chairman John Duce in a statement:  “We are disappointed that Texas A&M University and the Aggie fans will be unable to represent the Southeastern Conference in Jacksonville at this year’s TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game. However, the health and safety of the student-athletes, coaches and staff remains our primary concern.” Bowl officials are looking for a replacement opponent, but that would likely require taking a team committed to play in another bowl or waiting until another bowl encounters a similar issue and another team is left searching for an opponent.

An uptick in COVID-19 cases across the country due to a combination of the Delta and Omicron variants has disrupted the sports world. Dozens of college basketball games have been canceled in recent weeks amid the spread, as well as NBA and NHL games.

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